The Gospel according to Arnold

Time seems to freeze as I step out from the congregation and walk toward the front of the room. I come from the group for a reason. I come from their midst because I am one of them. I am a struggler in the journey of Faith. I hurt, I screw off, I screw up, I am a selfish egomaniac, I am overly competitive, I love to be right, and I have fear. Many times weekly, a person like me, or perhaps very different, walks before a group and pauses. What do they see? What do they say?I hear the faint buzz of fluorescent bulbs from flickering lights overhead. An older lady who cannot see, fumbles with her watch. A blind gentleman that is in a wheelchair, suffering from MS fidgets, yet keeps his head facing forward. Someone drops a hymnal and I hear them grunt as they lean over to retrieve it. A middle age female pulls Tic-Tacs from her purse and these mini-maracas play a not so refreshing tune. It seems, almost miraculously, that now all eyes are on me....Awaiting the answer to the important question," What You talkin' bout preacher? " They each seem to say,"We know these stories, we have heard them over and over and over. We know the nuances of each Gospel. We know that Paul is important. The Satan snake is still a slithering story that we find hard to catch up to. We want a sermon with heart. A little dab of Truth would do us. Have you got a little of that preacher? Are your pockets full of condemnation? I hope not, as I get enough of that at work, at home, and especially when I look in the mirror. Is that your plan preacher? We need our shepherd to feed us, to lead us...not strike us."The preacher has a question too. This question cuts to the very marrow of my bones. It is the hangnail of my soul. This question I ask myself often...sometimes it haunts me and makes me wonder and even doubt. I have my answer to this question. I will share it with you soon! Yet, I wonder what is Your answer. First, reflect on my question......

Does this Message really matter?
Is it Truth? Does anyone really care?